Buffalo Bills News - July 18, 2001

Buffalo Bills - CNNSI Preview [11:35 AM]CNN/SI reports:
'Pivotal games: Back-to-back road games at Miami (Sept. 16) and Indianapolis (Sept. 23) will give the Bills an early indication of where they stand in the AFC East. A potential grudge match with Flutie looms in San Diego on Oct. 28.'

Bob Kalsu on Cover of SI [10:02 AM]CNN/SI reports:
Bob Kalsu was a promising tackle for the Buffalo Bills before he chose to server in Vietnam becoming the only pro athlete serving there. Sports Illustrated has his story (cover story).

Jets eye former Bills Linebacker [5:53 AM]New York Daily News reports:
'But it may be tough to convince Holecek, who has recorded at least 100 tackles in each of the last three seasons, to accept a reserve role. If he signs, he will come in as Marvin Jones' backup in the middle.'

Bills boost young readers [5:20 AM]D and C reports:
'[Sammy] Morris showed up at this Rochester library to help launch the Hit the Books program -- an initiative sponsored by the Bills and United Parcel Service to encourage children to read.'

July 17, 2001

Salary cap trapped Bills and Holecek [7:13 PM]Olean Times Herald reports:
'The Bills might get by without Holecek's presence on the field - though twice he made 17 tackles in a game - but something will be missing from the locker room.'

Eventful Offseason [1:45 PM]CNN/SI reports:
Williams will never wear that slightly befuddled look on the sidelines that Phillips became famous for. The former Titans DC bested favorite Lewis in the interview process by being planned and organized to the nth degree.

The Bills may not be initially better, but the consensus is that they've laid a solid foundation for future success.

Ask Sammy Morris! [8:31 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'Want to ask Bills running back Sammy Morris a question? Now, here's your chance! Be sure to submit your question for Sammy via e-mail, and he will answer some of the questions asked late this week!'

Moulds glad he didn't shuffle out of Buffalo [7:51 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
NFL Insider for NFL.com:
"I could have tested the market, but I wanted to stay in Buffalo. I think we have the personnel and talent to go far this season," Moulds says. "I want to be a part of it. I want to be there when we get to the Super Bowl."

Bills tickets a hot item [5:48 AM]D and C reports:
'Only single-seat tickets remain for the Buffalo Bills' Sept. 9 home opener against the New Orleans Saints, the team said. The team previously announced that the September 30 game vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers is sold out.'

Softer schedule will help Bills [5:47 AM]D and C reports:
'I don't rate the Bills among the legitimate Super Bowl XXXVI contenders, but I do believe they are a slightly above average NFL team playing in a slightly below average division.'

July 16, 2001

You know what I like about the Bills' GM? He's not afraid to make the tough decision. He inherited a team divided between two quarterbacks who polarized the club and city, and he wasted no time letting one of them go.

I thought Buffalo was in trouble when it canned John Butler. It would have been if Donahoe wasn't around.

Holecek got blindsided in a cut-throat business [9:00 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Surely, Cowart knew it would weaken Holecek's standing with the team if Cowart got the middle linebacker's job. Holecek was making too much money ($1.25 million base) to be a backup, and he lacked the speed to play outside in the Bills' revamped defense.'

July 15, 2001

Cowart stunned by axing of Holecek [9:15 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"I was very surprised when I first heard the news," Cowart said from his off-season home in Jacksonville, Fla. "Anytime you lose someone you play next to and bond with, it's a tough thing."'

July 14, 2001

Bills anticipate increase in season-ticket sales [8:58 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'The Buffalo Bills say season-ticket sales are progressing nicely. While the team doesn't have an exact figure, it is optimistic about exceeding the totals of the past two seasons.'

Buchsbaum on Holecek\'s release [3:24 PM]Pro Football Weekly reports:
\'He\'s a scheme-oriented player, a great team guy, a super individual, high class, team-oriented and everything else. But as the fourth LB [in a 4-3], where he can flow to the ball and use his great instincts and intangibles, he\'s a terrific player. He\'s just couldn’t be as effective in the 4-3.\'

Release leaves Holecek with bitter taste [9:03 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"I think Gregg Williams is going to be a great coach and he has a terrific staff. But I can foresee some problems with the general manager and the coach because there's not a lot of honesty coming from the general manager position."'

Timing of release embitters Holecek [5:34 AM]D and C reports:
'The move -- which caught Holecek by surprise and has left him feeling bitter -- saved the team around $1 million in cap space. The Bills are now $2.25 million under the cap, which is enough to sign their top three draft picks, Nate Clements, Aaron Schobel and Travis Henry.'

Holecek's release shocks Cowart [5:33 AM]D and C reports:
'"But it just seems to be the story of this off-season, guys being let go. We have to rally together and young guys definitely have to step up."'

July 12, 2001

NFL announces comprehensive new media agreement [10:38 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'The four-way partnership encompasses wide-ranging initiatives, including online and offline cross promotion and marketing with America Online, a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Time Warner Inc., and CBS. It also takes advantage of Viacom's stable of media properties. In addition, SportsLine.com Inc. will produce and host NFL.com, the most popular sports league site.'

Bills Release Holecek [4:10 PM]AP reports:
There had been speculation last winter that Holecek would leave as the Bills worked to trim millions to get under the salary cap. But Holecek, who signed a five-year, $12.5 million extension in 1998, reportedly agreed to a $600,000 pay cut.

Bills release John Holecek [1:24 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
"This has been one of our more difficult decisions to make," said Bills President Tom Donahoe. "We've decided to do it now so that John can have the opportunity to catch on with another team. We certainly appreciate all that John has contributed to this organization and wish him all the best in the future."